Konstantin Wecker
Konstantin Wecker, born in 1947 in Munich, is a song writer (germ. Liedermacher), author, actor, and composer, and he is one of the most versatile artists in the German-speaking world. His artistic foundation is a classical music education and an enthusiasm for poetry - which was fostered by his mother.
In 1968, Konstantin Wecker performed as a "Liedermacher" for the first time; he had his breakthrough in 1977 with the ballad "Willy" and his album "Genug ist nicht genug" (engl. "Enough is not enough"). A total of around 50 LP and CD productions, such as "Liebesflug" (1981), "Uferlos" (1993), "Vaterland" (2001), and "Poesie und Widerstand" (2017), reflect the wide range of artistic creations and especially his personal highlights and low points.
He received special attention for his productions that were created as a kind of synthesis between Konstantin Wecker’s classical roots and his creating of songs and film music, such as "Classics" (1991) with the Munich Radio Orchestra led by Peter Herbolzheimer (Critics’ Prize 1992), and "Weltenbrand" (2019) in collaboration with the Chamber Orchestra of the Bavarian Philharmonic led by Mark Mast.
Konstantin Wecker published poetry collections (i.e. "Jeder Augenblick ist ewig", 2012), the novels "Uferlos" (1993) and "Der Klang der ungespielten Töne" (2004), and he writes theatre and stage music as well as film music ("Kir Royal" 1986, "Schtonk!" 1992) and children's musicals. Between 2013 and 2015 he toured with the programme "Liedestoll", together with Angelika Kirchschlager.
After his anniversary tour "Poesie und Widerstand" (engl. Poetry and resistance) around his 70th birthday, and after "Weltenbrand" (2019), "Utopia" is his most recent project. Konstantin Wecker founded his own label, Sturm & Klang, in 2006, also promoting young talent in the Liedermacher community.
Wecker was recognised for his political activism when he was awarded the Kurt-Tucholsky prize in 1995, and the Erich-Fromm prize in 2018 together with Eugen Drewermann. In 2018, he received the Thomas-Nast guest professorship of the University of Koblenz-Landau, and in 2019 he was awarded the Albert-Schweitzer medal.
Selected awards: Deutscher Kleinkunstpreis (1977), Stern des Jahres der Abendzeitung München (1977), Deutscher Schallplattenpreis (1978), Südwestfunk Liederpreis (1985, 1990 und 1993), Kurt Tucholsky Preis (1995), Radio Regenbogen Award (2000), Weltmusikpreis RUTH (2006), Erich Fromm Preis (zusammen mit Eugen Drewermann) (2007), Ehrenpreis des Bayerischen Kabarettpreises (2013), Thomas-Nast-Gastprofessur Universität Koblenz-Landau (2018), Albert-Schweitzer-Medaille (2019).
Selected film music: Die weiße Rose (1982), Kir Royal (1986), Schtonk (1992), Ein Mann für jede Tonart (1992), Die Spur der roten Fässer (1995), Ärzte: Dr. Schwarz & Dr. Martin (1994/1996), In der Mitte eines Lebens (2003), Apollonia (2005), Gipfelsturm (2007) und Die Hochzeit meiner Schwester (2014)
Selected musicals: Jim Knopf & Lukas, der Lokomotivführer (1999), Das Dschungelbuch Musical (2002), Hundertwasser Musical (2004), Ludwig2 (2005), Peter Pan (2008), Oliver Twist (2015)
Selected books: Eine ganze Menge Leben (1978), Uferlos (1992), Politisch nicht correct (2001), Der Klang der ungespielten Töne (2004), Schon Schweigen ist Betrug – die kompletten Liedtexte, Neuauflage (2005), Die Kunst des Scheiterns (2007), Jeder Augenblick ist ewig (Lyrik, 2012), Meine rebellischen Freunde (2012), Mönch und Krieger (2014), Entrüstet euch! (zusammen mit Margot Käßmann, 2015), Das ganze schrecklich schöne Leben (2017), Auf der Suche nach dem Wunderbaren (2018), Poesie und Widerstand in stürmischen Zeiten (2021)
Selected films: Die Autozentauren (1972), Peppermint Frieden (1983), Tatort "Blue Lady (1990), "1945" (1994), Ärzte: Dr. Schwarz & Dr. Martin (1994/1996), In der Mitte eines Lebens (2003), Apollonia (2005), Mozart – Ich hätte München Ehre gemacht (2006), Einmal Toskana und zurück (2008), Wunderkinder (2011), Die Hochzeit meiner Schwester (2014)
Political and social activism: Throughout his life, activism in his songs, texts, and interviews for socially vulnerable groups, marginalised groups, social outcasts, and against war. In early 2003: ten-day trip to Iraq with "Kultur des Friedens" (engl. Culture of peace) organisation, followed by a book, "Tobe, zürne, misch dich ein" (engl. Roar, be angry, get involved), based on the diaries on his website www.wecker.de.
For several years now, he’s been running his own label and music publishing house Sturm & Klang, where other artists are also publishing their material.